The use of interpreters ensures that students and their parents/carers receive essential information and allows dialogue between all those involved in the students’ education and wellbeing. Interpreters are professionally trained and accredited and are obliged to keep all services confidential.
Further information about interpreting is available in the 2007 ESL Program Guidelines [PDF 547KB] (see Appendix J, p. 61).
An interpreter’s role is to bridge the communication gap between two or more parties who do not speak the same language. In the school setting an interpreter restates spoken language from English to the client’s preferred language and from the client’s preferred language to English. Ensure that the interpreter speaks the specific language/dialect of the parent/carer.
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An interpreter can significantly assist in:
- the enrolment of newly-arrived students
- informing the family of newly-arrived students about school procedures, requirements and events
- reporting to students and parents/carers
- parent/teacher meetings
- negotiating situations of misunderstanding and/or conflict
- informing parents/carers of the roles of support staff, such as the guidance officer or the speech pathologist, if the teacher believes their assistance is necessary
Teachers need to be aware that some parents/carers prefer not to use local interpreters or interpreters at all. Sometimes parents might prefer to use a friend or relative. It is not appropriate to use a sibling to interpret at parent/teacher meetings. However, it may be appropriate to use a sibling or a student from the same language background to pass on simple messages/instructions or inform other students of a change in school routine
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Interpreters are available throughout Tasmania. Schools can choose from onsite or telephone interpreters.
On-site Interpreters
The ESL program can provide local interpreters for most frequently used languages. Contact the Advanced Skills Teacher ESL or ESL Coordinator for a current interpreter list.
The Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS) is used when an interpreter of the required language is not available locally. A client access code is required for the TIS. Please contact the Principal Education Officer ESL for details.
Please note TIS requires advance bookings for on-site interpreting (a week at least). Telephone TIS on 13 14 50 and request a copy of the booking form.
Telephone Interpreters
If contacting a family via the telephone or visiting a family who prefers not to use a local onsite interpreter, use the TIS telephone interpreting service which is available 24-hours statewide. Bookings aren't normally required for this service. A client access code is required for the TIS. Please contact the Principal Education Officer ESL for details.
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A translator will restate written material from English to the client’s preferred language or the client’s preferred language to English. If you need to obtain the services of a translator, contact the Principal Education Officer ESL.
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The ESL program will accept responsibility for payment of interpreter services to parents and guardians of ESL students enrolled in Government schools.
Interpreter Invoice Forms are sent to the PEO-ESL for processing. For assistance, advice and current interpreter rates contact the Principal Education Officer ESL.
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Guaranteeing Futures
Centre for Extended Learning (CELO)
Interpreters